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Sparkles’ JOY

by Filed Under: First Communion, Sparkles

Saturday was a blessed day for Sparkles.  She passed her First Communion Examination!  Praise be to God.

 a day of joy for sparkles


She came home more than delighted.  She was glowing.
sparkles after passing the test
She and the other GFG were treated to ice cream.


Sparkles decided to keep the JOY going when she returned home.  She requested to have her training wheels taken off her bike.  Dad accommodated her and she was off!
sparkles on bike 1st time sparkles off on bike sparkles off on the bike

Celebrating Easter – Week 2

by Filed Under: Easter, Garden of the Good Shepherd, Pope, St. Bernadette 10 Comments

We celebrated the second week of Easter in a big way on Friday. Sparkles whose feast day was on Friday, April 16 requested a Tea Party. We went ahead and turned the Garden of the Good Shepherd celebration into a tea party. We honored St. Bernadette’s Feast Day and Pope Benedict XVI 83rd Birthday.
GARDEN bok pic index_benxvisaint-bernadette-of-lourdes-01

It was a glorious occasion!
Welcome to the Lord’s Table!

tea time setting
We started the celebration by decorating the school room for tea time.

tea time table in the school room 8. The Table
Netting
26 When Joseph arrived at the house they offered him the gift they had with them, bowing low before him.   27 He greeted them pleasantly, asking, ‘Is your father well, the old man you told me of ? Is he still alive?’  28 ‘Your servant our father is well,’ they replied, ‘he is still alive,’ and they bowed respectfully.   29 Looking about, he saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son. ‘Is this your youngest brother’, he asked, ‘of whom you told me?’ And he added, ‘God be good to you, my son.’   30 Joseph hurried out; so strong was the affection he felt for his brother that he wanted to cry. He went into his room and there he wept.   31 After washing his face he returned and, controlling himself, gave the order: ‘Serve the meal.’  32 He was served separately; so were they, and so were the Egyptians who ate in his household, for the Egyptians could not take food with Hebrews; Egyptians have a horror of doing so.  33 They were placed facing him in order of seniority, from the eldest to the youngest, and the men looked at one another in amazement.  34 He had portions carried to them from his own dish, the portion for Benjamin being five times larger than any of the others. And they feasted with him and drank freely.  ~ Genesis 43: 26-34
9.  The Chairs
Hats and Fabric
1 Yahweh appeared to him at the Oak of Mamre while he was sitting by the entrance of the tent during the hottest part of the day.  2 He looked up, and there he saw three men standing near him. As soon as he saw them he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them, and bowed to the ground.   3 ‘My lord,’ he said, ‘if I find favour with you, please do not pass your servant by.  4 Let me have a little water brought, and you can wash your feet and have a rest under the tree.  5 Let me fetch a little bread and you can refresh yourselves before going further, now that you have come in your servant’s direction.’ They replied, ‘Do as you say.’ 6 Abraham hurried to the tent and said to Sarah, ‘Quick, knead three measures of best flour and make loaves.’  7 Then, running to the herd, Abraham took a fine and tender calf and gave it to the servant, who hurried to prepare it.  8 Then taking curds, milk and the calf which had been prepared, he laid all before them, and they ate while he remained standing near them under the tree.   ~ Genesis 18: 1-8

Our menu was simple and deviated slightly from Jessica’s & Charlotte’s Week 2 suggestions.

 tea time with lables10.  The Bread
Croissants

8 Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, ‘Go back, each of you to your mother’s house.  9 May Yahweh show you faithful love, as you have done to those who have died and to me. Yahweh grant that you may each find happiness with a husband!’ She then kissed them, but they began weeping loudly, 10 and said, ‘No, we shall go back with you to your people.’  11 ‘Go home, daughters,’ Naomi replied. ‘Why come with me? Have I any more sons in my womb to make husbands for you?  12 Go home, daughters, go, for I am now too old to marry again. Even if I said, “I still have a hope: I shall take a husband this very night and shall bear more sons,”  13 would you be prepared to wait for them until they were grown up? Would you refuse to marry for their sake? No, daughters, I am bitterly sorry for your sakes that the hand of Yahweh should have been raised against me.’  14 They started weeping loudly all over again; Orpah then kissed her mother-in-law and went back to her people. But Ruth stayed with her.    ~Ruth 2:8-14

wine 11.  The Wine
Sparkling White Grape
1 Oh, come to the water all you who are thirsty; though you have no money, come! Buy and eat; come, buy wine and milk without money, free!  2 Why spend money on what cannot nourish and your wages on what fails to satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and you will have good things to eat and rich food to enjoy.  ~Isaiah 55:1-2
milk11.  The Milk
Milk for Tea
8 and Yahweh brought us out of Egypt with mighty hand and outstretched arm, with great terror, and with signs and wonders.  9 He brought us here and has given us this country, a country flowing with milk and honey.  10 Hence, I now bring the first-fruits of the soil that you, Yahweh, have given me.” ‘You will then lay them before Yahweh your God, and prostrate yourself in the presence of Yahweh your God.  ~ Deuteronomy 26:8-10
honey12.  The Pot of Honey
Honey Butter

4 John the Baptist was in the desert, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  5 All Judaea and all the people of Jerusalem made their way to him, and as they were baptised by him in the river Jordan they confessed their sins.  6 John wore a garment of camel-skin, and he lived on locusts and wild honey.  ~ Mark 1:4-6

fruit 13.  The Fruit
Berries
16 BELOVED: Awake, north wind, come, wind of the south! Breathe over my garden, to spread its sweet smell around. Let my love come into his garden, let him taste its most exquisite fruits.  ~ Song of Songs (Solomon) 4:16
tea time with all kids at tablesweetie tea papi tea v2 sparkels tea 2
We reviewed the Garden of the Good Shepherd’s sticker board.  Each GFG took turns explaining the significance of the food items.
Garden of the Good Shepherd Week 2
We prayed for Pope Benedict and sought the intercession of St. Bernadette.
prayer card front saint-bernadette-of-lourdes-06
Our GFG worked on their Pope Benedict XVI Activities.pope benedict craftssweetie craft
DEO GRATIAS!

Happy Feast Day!

by Filed Under: Patron Saint, St. Bernadette Leave a Comment

– turn off the music at the bottom of the page before playing –
At age 14, the poverty-stricken, asthmatic Bernadette Soubirous saw a vision of a beautiful Lady in a grotto on the banks of the Gave River near Lourdes, France. Though Bernadette was despised, disbelieved, and harrassed by local French authorities, crowds began to gather when news spread and when she wouldn’t recant the story of her vision.
On 25 February, Bernadette was told to dig in the earth, which she did to much mockery, but there, the healing waters of the now-famous Lourdes shrine were discovered where the Lady had appeared, and on 25 March, the Lady of the vision announced that she was the Immaculate Conception and that a church should be built at the site. Bernadette became a nun at Nevers, France and, suffering much from physical ailments, died young. Her body remains incorrupt at her convent to this day. ~ Fish Eaters

Sparkles was our first child that was consecrated to Our Blessed Mother while in the womb. Needless to say, she has an enduring devotion to Our Blessed Mother. I believe it is that devotion that led Sparkles to St. Bernadette.


April 16 is the feast day (in the new calendar) of Sparkles’ self proclaimed patron saint, St. Bernadette.* When she was three or four (I can’t remember much at this time with my placenta brain) she started a prayer, “novena” (we didn’t know it was that at the time) of 3 Hail Mary’s. She was persistent that they be said every night in addition to our family and nightly prayers. She would often be found praying them on her own throughout the day. Our spiritual director informed us that this in fact this was a pious devotion but we never knew where it originated from. Nonetheless, we continued at the request of Sparkles.


About a year later she began to evoke the intercession of St. Bernadette; “ St. Bernadette, Ora Pro Nobis.”


She has continued over the years to grow in her devotion to St. Bernadette.

*We usually try to celebrate the feast days in the old Calendar if the Saint is recognized by both. This year we didn’t get a chance to celebrate St. Bernadette Soubirous feast day, February 18 in the Old Calendar because we were immersed in the Lenten Season.

This novena prayer, although short is sufficient. It would be better of course to add, if time permits, three Hail Marys or say five times the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be to the Father, or to use some of the many well-loved novena prayers from other sources. Remember that prayers must be said with the lips in order to gain the indulgences. This novena begins on April 6 and ends on April 16.

O dear little St. Bernadette, humble little shepherdess, who wonderingly beheld the Lovely Lady of the Grotto, pray for us to our Lady of Lourdes that she may heal us of our ills. St. Bernadette, pray for the sick and the afflicted.

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us!

300 days. S. Pen., Nov. 15, 1927.
Prayer Source: All Day With God by Blanche Jennings Thompson

Three Hail Marys

“The devotion of the Three Hail Marys is bound up with the value and the cult of the Hail Mary itself. It traces back to St. Matilda, who received it from Our Lady. The Saint had been worrying about her eternal salvation and had requested the most holy Virgin to assist her in her hour of death. Our Lady reassured her, and said, “I will grant your request. But I want you, on your part, to pray to me three Hail Marys every day. With the first of them call to mind the strength I received from the Eternal Father; with the second, the wisdom I received from the Son; with the third, the love with which the Holy Spirit filled me.” 
~Father Stefano Manelli, Devotion to Our Lady, (Academy of the Immaculate: 2000), 148.

Novena of the Three Hail Marys
The Three Hail Marys 

Additional Links:
Coloring page of St. Bernadette at Lourdes
St. Bernadette of Lourdes
My Name is Bernadette – EWTN Bio
The Stupid One – A Biography of St. Bernadette
“The Many Faces of Mary, a Love Story”
In the Footsteps of St. Bernadette
Placing your Petition at the Grotto of Lourdes
TV Lourdes
Apparitions of St. Bernadette
Our Lady of Lourdes Post

Prayers & Activities for Pope Benedict XVI

by Filed Under: Happy Birthday, Pope

April 16th, marks the 83rd birthday of our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI.

Below are some prayers, info and activities that we will be doing in honor of Our Holy Father’s Birthday.

PRAYERS FOR BENEDICT XVI:

V. Let us pray for Benedict, our Pope.


R. May the Lord preserve him, and give him life, and make him blessed upon the earth, and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies. [Ps 40:3]


Our Father, Hail Mary.


O God, Shepherd and Ruler of all Thy faithful people, look mercifully upon Thy servant Benedict, whom Thou hast chosen as shepherd to preside over Thy Church. Grant him, we beseech Thee, that by his word and example, he may edify those over whom he hath charge, so that together with the flock committed to him, may he attain everlasting life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.


— Excerpted from the Roman Missal. A partial indulgence is attached to the versicle and response.
~ Catholic Culture

~~~~~~~~

Spiritual Bouquet for Pope Benedict XVI

~~~~~~~~

Novena for Pope Benedict XVI 

 

TELEVISION PROGRAM:

PAPACY OF REASON:
INSIDE THE MIND OF POPE BENEDICT XVI ( 1 hr)
Pope Benedict XVI is leading the Church of the 21st Century in a clear and unmistakable direction; this insightful overview of the principal themes of his Pontificate reveals the unique approach he uses to guide the Church in truth and love, and includes key interviews with Church leaders, Vatican experts, and prominent Catholic journalists.
Fri 4/16/10 5:30 PM ET / 2:30 PM PT
We watch EWTN TV online.

Crafting for FREE!

by Filed Under: Crafts, Organization 7 Comments

I did a quick craft today while the kids were upstairs doing this…..

I purged during my Lenten cleaning but there were some items I held onto in the case of “what-if.” This was one of those items, a spinning spice rack.



I purchased this about 4 years ago from Costco and barley used it. I tried to give it away to two homes. I didn’t have any takers.


It sat at my kitchen island for about 2 weeks. Finally, I had an epiphany as I was going through my glass tile stuff .

this is how my craft storage usually looks

I decided to keep the spice rack and turn it into a craft caddy for my glass tile necklace supplies.

I dumped the old spices and soaked the containers for days. I began to use the caddy for my tile storage but did not complete the decoration process.

I thought I would wait until I took a trip to a craft store for cute paper. Needless to say, I never made it and am no longer enthused about spending money for stuff thanks to one of my Lenten sacrifices.


I found left over paper from this project and decided to get her done. Thanks, Amy for your promptings.

Supplies: decorative paper, Mod Podge, scissors, foam brush, nail file
this is a bonus….a little helper!

1. Trace lid onto decorative paper

2. Fold and cut traced area for the number of cutouts needed

3. Brush a light coat of Mod Podge on the top of the lid


4. Adhere the decorative cut out

5. File the edges around the lid for a clean look (This is my favorite step. It gives the project a custom look.)


6. Brush a light coat of Mod Podge over the decorative paper

You can repeat step six as many times as you like.


Here’s the finished project.



Divine Mercy Sunday

by Filed Under: Divine Mercy, Easter, St. Faustina

“go forth and be witnesses of God’s mercy, a source of hope for every person and for the whole world.”  ~ Pope Benedict’s Divine Mercy Mandate

The Divine Mercy has become a favorite of the family thanks to Sweetie’s promptings. It is her favored devotion that she requests to chant almost every night for the past 2.5 years.

Sparkles took a special interest in the Divine Mercy Sunday devotions this year. She was persistent to fulfill her requirements for the plenary indulgence and graces promised. She graciously prompted all of us to complete our requirements as well.


Then he said, ‘In truth I tell you, unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven. ~Matthew 18.3

 

Celebrating Easter – Week 1

by Filed Under: Easter, Garden of the Good Shepherd, Good Shepherd's Garden Party, Little Flowers 9 Comments

I’m so very thankful that I found Jessica’s Blog, Shower of Roses about a year ago. It has been a great gift. She continuously inspires me to fully live out the Liturgical Year in my home, domestic church. However, I’m often slow to implement many of the ideas. I have to be certain I take on only that which is conducive to my family’s current state in life. This includes our budget, energy levels, church commitments, and etc…

I was fascinated by Jessica’s implementation of The Garden of the Good Shepherd upon my initial discovery.

This is my first go at following this guide for the Easter season. I’m not sure I’d be willing to give it a go without Jessica’s and Charlotte’s aides.

The Good Shepherd’s Pasture
I decided to celebrate the first week of Easter & The Garden of the Good Shepherd with my Little Flowers Girls Group. I had initially planned to host an Easter Tea for my Little Flowers last meeting but went for the informal festivities of this celebration instead.


We had a great turnout of about 20 girls. Some of which were 4 years old, new members. A nice showing of moms stayed to help and enjoy the celebration.


Our meeting followed Saturday Mass.  We started the meeting/party with prayer, an introduction of new girls, and group assignments. We were off and running.


I wanted to keep a crafty theme going for this celebration since I use crafts to help the girls grow in their virtues and develop their domestic skills. I decided to have the girls create their own baked treats. I also added some traditional crafts to the mix.


I created six stations for groups of 4-5 girls. Each group rotated together throughout the celebration.
stations JOY blur 
Before the girls could switch their stations, I read a day from the Good Shepherd and held a brief discussion with the girls. A Little Flower was selected to adhere the sticker to the board.

Garden of the Good Shepherd Stations:
(items used for 20 girls)

 

Ewe Cupcakes & Shepherd’s Crook
-Prepared cupcakes (2 packages of cake mix) – $0.99/cake box
     -48 Cupcake liners – $1/package of 36

-Frosting (2 reg sized containers of frosting or 1 large container) – $1.50/std. container
-Knives (1/girl in group) – FREE I use my kids plastic knives from IKEA
-Mini marshmallows (1 bag) – $0.99
-Large marshmallows cut in half (1 bag) – $0.99
-Raisins (for eyes) (3 mini boxes) – $2.28 for 1 standard box of raisins
-Jelly Belly/candy (20 candies) – FREE left over from Easter
-Cups for Frosting, mini marshmallows, raisins, candy
-Premade shepherd’s crook/breadsticks – $1.75/container
(Made from 2 packages of refrigerated breadsticks. I cut each uncooked bread stick in half before shaping to reduce the size of the crook.)

Gate of the Sheepfold & Wolf Paw Cookies
-Peanut butter (2-3 cups) – $3.00

-Stick pretzels (1/2 regular bag) – $2.50
-Graham crackers (3 bags of graham crackers) – $2.50 (1 box contains 4 bags)

-Premade Wolf Paw Cookies
     -1 bag of chocolate chip cookies or ½ box of Nilla Wafers- $2 ea box
    – 1/2 bag of Almond Bark – $2/bag
     -3 bars of White/Vanilla Bark – $2/bag

ram collage v1 blur
 
Ram Collage
-Pre cut rams on cardstock – $5.50/pack of 150 sheets

-Cotton balls (1 bag) – $2
-Tacky glue (1 bottle) – $0.94 I use tacky glue because it sets fast and does not run.
-Craft sticks (1/ea. girl in group. Used to spread glue) – FREE recycled popsicle sticks
-Small containers for tacky glue (I use cupcake liners) – FREE left over from EWE cupcakes
-Wiggle eyes (1 small packet) – $0.94 (pack of 50)
-Colored pencils – FREE perk of homeschooling

Divine Mercy Wall Art/Door Hanger

-Foam cut-outs – $1.00/pack of 24-36
-7 in precut ribbon/per girl – $1.00/4 yards
-Stickers for embellishments
-Tacky glue (1 bottle) – $0.94 I use tacky glue because it sets fast and does not run.
-Craft sticks (1/ea. girl in group. Used to spread glue) – FREE recycled popsicle sticks
-Small containers for tacky glue (I use cupcake liners) – left over from EWE cupcakes
-Hot glue gun (1 used by mom)
-Hot glue sticks (2-3) – $2/bag of 36 glue sticks

related links on Divine Mercy:
Saint Coloring
All supplies used were left over from Little Flowers meetings

-Saint Coloring Pages Construction paper
-Colored Pencils
-Markers
-Scissors
-Glue Sticks

tea time JOY Blur

 
Tea & Doll House Play
-Tea hats (1/girl in group) – $1/ea found at Dollar Tree Store

-Toy tea set
Little Flowers Doll House (this house was a gift from the previous group leader. It is used for special occasions only, a real treat!)

I created info cards for all stations. The food stations had cards listing the coordinating scripture verse. This allowed the mom-volunteers to reiterate the significance of the craft.
father l JOY blur 
Father L was able to join us for a blessing between his First Communion Lessons and Confirmation testing. We presented him with a gift of thanks for all he does, an image of Divine Mercy.
ice cream joy blur

 

We went out with a bang and touched upon Week 2 – Welcome to the Lord’s Table, Milk. Milk, Ice Cream Sundaes were our final treat.

The girls had a blessed day! They were delighted with all the crafts & treats. The loved the Garden of the Good Shepherd lessons and were more than attentive. I would love to continue the Easter celebrations with the girls but will settle for a weekly celebration with my children in our home as we JOYfully await the arrival of our new blessing, Baby "G".

Papi helped me post our Garden of the Good Shepherd Book in our Liturgical corner. He decided were the “corner” should be moved to and where the book should go. He loves telling the story to all.

Papi the Shepherd waiting for his sheep (popcorn) to follow into his sheepfold.
The sheep are coming!

Deo Gratias!

Marian Birthday Party

by Filed Under: Happy Birthday, Marian, Mary Garden

THEME

For Sparkle’s 4th birthday we had a Mary party and all guests helped us plant a flower in our Mary garden in between crafting and swimming. 

The Our Lady of Guadalupe was found at Wal-Mart for $40.00!!!
FOOD

A sandwich bar was offered for lunch. Pink flower cupcakes were served.

FAVORS & ACTIVITIES

The children/guests were given a clay pot to paint and decorate in between their swim & flower planting time. They also were able to plant a flower that had a Marian significance. In addition, the children were given a pack of gummy worms. Their parents were given a personalized bottle of sparkling cider along with prayers and Marian Garden descriptions.

MARIAN GARDEN INFO
Info was collected from Mary Gardens

A Mary Garden Prayer
Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,As our hearts are raised to you in love and thanksgiving through the light, grace, fragrance and symbolism of these pure, blest, transfigured flowers of Our Lady – your direct creations, showing forth and sharing with us your divine goodness, beauty and truth – we commune with you in awe and rapture and pray that we and all our brothers and sisters may be opened to the fullness of the divine love of God and Neighbor, through which we are to transform the fallen world into the culminating earthly Peaceable Kingdom and Paradise, that all may be lifted up resplendent in the eternal New Heaven and New Earth of our Crucified and Risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen

Catholic Icing
 
UndertheTableandDreaming
Bird Crafts Party

Easter Sunday!

by Filed Under: Easter

Kids before Solemn High Mass.
Their sacrifice beans joyously turned jelly beans on Easter Sunday.

ROSE
SPARKLES
SWEETIE
PAPI
Easter Treats
Easter Egg Hunt
Completed Lenten Calendar

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